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Maciej K.
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Location: Poland
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PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 2:58 am    Post subject: Sasanian swords - pistol grip question         Reply with quote

Hi,
I`m looking for some detail informations about sassanid swords - persian swords from 6-7th.
especially about unique pistol grip construction.
I`m recreating that sword from British Museum: www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/high...page=18963

Maybe some of you have the HQ pictures of this sword from BMuseum ?

Maybe some of you know more about construction of that kind of grip?

... or maybe some of you have already recreated sassanid sword?

Please, need some help with this interesting weapon.
Thanks.

Medieval Swords - www.artofswordmaking.com


Last edited by Maciej K. on Tue 07 Jan, 2014 11:19 am; edited 1 time in total
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Eric S




Location: new orleans
Joined: 22 Nov 2009
Reading list: 8 books

Posts: 805

PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 3:53 am    Post subject: Re: Sassanid swords - pistol grip question         Reply with quote

Maciej K. wrote:
Hi,
I`m looking for some detail informations about sassanid swords - persian swords from 6-7th.
especially about unique pistol grip construction.


Persian (sasanian) short sword and scabbard, 6th–7th century, silver (scabbard and hilt), iron (blade) Dimensions: H. 3/4 x W. 2 3/8 x L. 11 7/8 in. (1.9 x 6.1 x 30.2 cm). Met Museum


Persian (Sasanian) sword and scabbard, 7th c, gold over wood, inlaid with garnets and glass, a pattern of overlapping feathers on the surface, long narrow grip with two finger rests, scabbard with projections for strap attachment for suspending from the warrior's belt in such a way that it could easily be drawn even on horseback, Sasanian kings are almost always depicted with a sword suspended from the belt, a motif appropriate to the victor in combat. L. 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm). Met Museum.

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William M




Location: Buckinghamshire , England
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PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 4:34 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I took a few high res photos of these swords on my last visit. I will get them uploaded tonight when I am back home.
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Maciej K.
Industry Professional



Location: Poland
Joined: 06 Jul 2006

Posts: 242

PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 5:44 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

thank you Eric - I know these examples, but the sword from BM is a little different style of grip and I want to recreate exactly like this one.

William - I think that your photos can help me - I will waiting for them.

Medieval Swords - www.artofswordmaking.com
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Eric S




Location: new orleans
Joined: 22 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 7:13 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Maciej K. wrote:
thank you Eric - I know these examples, but the sword from BM is a little different style of grip and I want to recreate exactly like this one.


Hopefully you can find some clearer images, Museums should really learn to take better pictures of the items that have in their collections.


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Isaac D Rainey




Location: Evansville Indiana
Joined: 29 Sep 2012

Posts: 65

PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 9:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

What do the blades of these swords look like? All of the pictures I find of these weapons always have the scabbards on.
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William M




Location: Buckinghamshire , England
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PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 9:30 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hey,

As promised here is a shot of the silver one. I don't think I have a shot of the gold one as it was displayed a little too high for a decent shot.

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William M




Location: Buckinghamshire , England
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PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 9:37 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Also check out this website where the blade is out of the scabbard, although it is in pretty poor condition.

http://sword-site.com/thread/288/silver-hilte...rollTo=665
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Maciej K.
Industry Professional



Location: Poland
Joined: 06 Jul 2006

Posts: 242

PostPosted: Mon 06 Jan, 2014 12:56 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

thanks very much William. nice photo.
this is the one I want to recreate.
I wish to have a shots of this grip from the other sites too...
I`ll wait - maybe someone have more pictures.

Medieval Swords - www.artofswordmaking.com
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Eric S




Location: new orleans
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PostPosted: Tue 07 Jan, 2014 2:39 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

An few more images.

Components of Sassanian swords from the late Sassanian era. Weapons of this type would have been typical during the early 7th century wars between the Byzantine and Sassanian empires. The weapons shown above have never been seen by Western historians nor displayed in Western museums. These appeared as a result of Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani’s 10-year study of Iranian weapons.



Late Sassanian sword (Farrokh 2004; reprinted Hughes 2010, p.51). Entire sword from front [1] and back [2]; sword handle at front [3] and back [4]; sword mount at front [5] and back [6].


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Maciej K.
Industry Professional



Location: Poland
Joined: 06 Jul 2006

Posts: 242

PostPosted: Tue 07 Jan, 2014 11:18 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

thank you Eric, I know some of these pictures.
this is very helpful.

Medieval Swords - www.artofswordmaking.com
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Danny Grigg





Joined: 17 Sep 2004

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PostPosted: Sat 11 Jan, 2014 3:59 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Have you checked out these pages via the Online Collection section of the British Museum website?

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collect...amp;page=1

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collect...amp;page=1

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collect...amp;page=1

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collect...amp;page=1

They contain more photos, dimensions and information about 4 swords.

I hope these are helpful.

Danny
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William M




Location: Buckinghamshire , England
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PostPosted: Sat 11 Jan, 2014 10:23 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I kinda want one myself now...
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Shahril Dzulkifli




Location: Malaysia
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PostPosted: Wed 12 Feb, 2014 8:04 am    Post subject: Sassanian swords - pistol grip question         Reply with quote

Let's hope that some modern company will reproduce these type of swords someday (Who knows?)

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength”

- Marcus Aurelius
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Robert Mason




Location: Canada
Joined: 12 Jan 2015

Posts: 3

PostPosted: Tue 17 Jan, 2017 6:46 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Any idea how many edges these swords have? The pistol grip makes me think maybe one?
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William M




Location: Buckinghamshire , England
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PostPosted: Wed 18 Jan, 2017 1:15 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hey great, this thread is back! Happy

Here is a photo of the golden sword from the British Museum.
Edge wise I have no idea as the only swords of this type have always been inside their scabbard.



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20161126_171513.jpg

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Robert Mason




Location: Canada
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PostPosted: Wed 18 Jan, 2017 6:52 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

It is rather hard to tell! The scabbard and grip look related to early sabres, I'd have to wonder if any of these straight swords had one edge, and then they developed a slight curve, or if single edge and curve developed together. I know Charlemagne's sword has some edge on the back, so maybe it is the latter.
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Ralph Grinly





Joined: 19 Jan 2011

Posts: 330

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jan, 2017 9:57 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Eric S wrote:
An few more images.

Components of Sassanian swords from the late Sassanian era. Weapons of this type would have been typical during the early 7th century wars between the Byzantine and Sassanian empires. The weapons shown above have never been seen by Western historians nor displayed in Western museums. These appeared as a result of Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani’s 10-year study of Iranian weapons.



Late Sassanian sword (Farrokh 2004; reprinted Hughes 2010, p.51). Entire sword from front [1] and back [2]; sword handle at front [3] and back [4]; sword mount at front [5] and back [6].




I'm wondering if the items here are actual, functional swords, or some "decorative" / symbolic items ? The reason I wonder about their functionality are the studs/rings on what would normally be the back ot the grip, where the users palm would be be..items such as these would make for a most uncomfortable grip, I would think ??
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